Omaha's Bob Kosiski won the 25-lap IMCA stock car feature at the Nebraska State Fair. National Speedways' Woody Brinkman presents the checkers. - Beetle Bailey Photo
Lincoln, Neb. (September 7, 1973) - Friday's Nebraska modified stock-car program at the State Fair consisted of two races. One belonged to Bob Kosiski and the other to the rest of the state’s top drivers.
Kosiski was in a class by himself as he swept to his third victory in as many years in the 25-lap feature race which was sponsored by the International Motor Contest Association (IMCA).
The 38-year-old veteran Omaha driver admitted his experience on the half-mile fairgrounds track was probably the biggest reason for his win.
“Most of these drivers are used to driving on a third-mile track and had trouble adjusting to the larger track,” he said. “I've driven here for many years in both their Nebraska stock class and the IMCA stock car races.”
While the fairground track was treating Kosiski like an old friend it was creating havoc among other drivers.
It took four attempts to get the feature race underway as spin outs on the first lap halted the first three starts.
Kosiski started on the outside of row two behind Jerry Wancewicz and quickly moved to the front on each of the false starts.
“I moved to the outside each time and was able to pass the leaders easily,” Kosiski explained. “The track was holding much better on the outside and the other drivers kept going inside where it was really slick.”
When the race finally got underway on the fourth try, Wancewicz moved outside with Kosiski and was able to hold the lead for the first two laps.
Coming out of turn two on the third lap Kosiski pushed his blue-and-white 1972 Chevrolet Camaro into the lead and won the race going away.
“Maybe they'll name the trophy after me if I can keep on winning it,” Kosiski laughed as he collected his third trophy and the $400 winners’ purse.
Kosiski, the 1973 champion at Omaha's Sunset Speedway, revealed that he had plans to race Sunday in the IMCA late model stock car races which will be held at the fairgrounds track.
“I'll race in the Nebraska stocks at the fair Saturday and then join IMCA for Sunday's events, the 21-year racing veteran said. “All I have to do is put a windshield in my car to be eligible for those races.”
The IMCA late-model class stipulates that car must have a windshield and be no older than 1969 model. Kosiski’s 1972 car will fit both rules after the windshield is installed.
Ed Morris of Omaha finished second in Friday's feature with Joe Wade of Lincoln third and Terry Richards of David City fourth.
Friday's race finished just as a heavy thunder shower hit the fairgrounds oval turning it into a mud bath.
“Thank goodness we finish this thing before the rains came,” IMCA vice president Woody Brinkman said. “The way the drivers were spinning today, it could have taken forever to finish the feature.”
Results -
Heat #1 - Ed Morris, Omaha
Heat #2 - Jerry Wancewicz, Omaha
Heat #3 - Bob Hanson, Greenwood, Neb.
Heat #4 - Bob Kosiski, Omaha
Consolation - Marv Peelar, Brownsville, Neb.
Feature -
1. Bob Kosiski
2. Ed Morris
3. Joe Wade, Lincoln, Neb.
4. Terry Richards, Rising City, Neb.
5. Jerry Wancewicz
6. Tom Niemeyer, Creston, Iowa
7. Bud Burdick, Omaha
8. Keith Leithoff, Omaha
9. Lonnie Jensen, Lincoln
10.Jay Sterns, Lincoln
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